Without a crew, but with Tomahawks: the USA showed the Bengal MC autonomous ship

44 tons, 50 knots and zero people on board

Imagine a warship that carries Tomahawk cruise missiles, accelerates to 50 knots (about 93 km/h) and does not have a single person on board. It already exists. The US Navy has unveiled the AIRCAT Bengal MC, a 44—ton autonomous vessel that could be a turning point in the naval warfare of the future.

This is not a scout boat or a target. This is a full-fledged attack platform controlled by artificial intelligence.

The AIRCAT Bengal MC is not just a drone, but an attack platform

The Bengal MC is part of a new line of autonomous ships from Swiftships. It is based on the concept of AIRCAT (Autonomous Interceptor and Rapid Combat Attack Technology), which speaks for itself: interception, speed, attack.

On board are modular launchers capable of carrying several Tomahawk missiles or other precision—guided munitions. His task is not to stand in formation, but to act separately: to strike, distract air defenses, work in a group with other drones or cover large ships.

How Marine AI makes decisions without a commander

The heart of Bengal MC is a revolutionary autonomous control system. Instead of people on board, there is an AI complex that processes data from radars, sonars, and satellites, plots a route, recognizes targets, and even decides whether to use weapons within a given protocol.

It can avoid obstacles, respond to threats, change course, and coordinate with other vessels—all without direct control. The command gives you a task, and the ship finds a way to complete it.

Why does the navy need a ship that is not afraid of losing

The main advantage is the lack of a crew. This means that the Bengal MC can be thrown into the most dangerous zones: in front of the front line, into dense air defense, into electronic jamming zones. He doesn't need to be saved, he doesn't need to be supported, he doesn't need to be afraid for people's lives.

In addition, its high speed and maneuverability make it a difficult target. 50 knots is faster than most patrol boats and many missile ships. He can appear, strike, and disappear before the opponent realizes what has happened.

Sources

1. Designfax — AIRCAT Bengal MC technology deep dive
2. Unmanned Systems Technology — autonomy concept & tech specs
3. Defense Advancement — Sea-Air-Space 2025 debut announcement
4. Rude Baguette — 44-ton payload combat potential
5. The War Zone — MASC concept & multi-mission adaptability
6. Naval News — Eureka-Singapore MoU for series production

China unveiled a new low-profile unmanned boat before the Victory Day parade

A new level of stealth in unmanned marine systems

On the eve of the Victory Day parade in China, as a result of information leaks, details of a new unmanned boat became known, demonstrating a significant technological step forward. The vessel has an improved design aimed at reducing radar, infrared and acoustic visibility, which makes it difficult to detect for modern tracking systems.

This focus on stealth indicates China's desire to bring its unmanned offshore platforms to a level comparable to the advanced developments of the world's leading powers.

Versatility and possible tasks of the boat

Analysts suggest that the new boat is designed to perform a wide range of tasks. Key functions may include:

• Long-term exploration and surveillance in coastal and remote areas
• Patrolling disputed territories, including the South China and East China Seas
• Electronic intelligence and communications suppression
• Potential use as a strike platform or false target

Their compact size and autonomy make it possible to use such boats as part of group operations, including as part of a swarm of drones capable of acting in a coordinated manner.

Development of autonomous PLA Navy forces

The appearance of this boat is part of a large—scale modernization program of the People's Liberation Army of China (PLA) Navy. Beijing is actively investing in autonomous and uninhabited maritime systems, seeking to compensate for the potential numerical superiority of the enemy through technological superiority and flexibility.

China has previously demonstrated unmanned underwater and surface vehicles, but the new boat is characterized by a more mature level of engineering and integration of stealth technologies.

Strategic importance for the Asia-Pacific regions

The deployment of low-profile unmanned boats enhances China's ability to control key shipping routes and disputed areas. Such platforms can be used to discreetly accumulate intelligence, demonstrate presence, or quickly respond to changes in the situation without risking the crew.

Their use in conditions of hybrid conflicts or a "gray zone" allows Beijing to act aggressively, maintaining a formal distance from open military provocations.

Australia controlled a British submarine from 10,000 miles away — a breakthrough within the framework of AUKUS

Imagine: a submarine is moving quietly underwater somewhere off the coast of Great Britain, but it is not controlled in London, but in Australia — 10,000 miles away from the scene. It sounds like the plot of a science fiction movie, but that's exactly what happened in practice.

For the first time, the Royal Navy of Great Britain has demonstrated that its experimental vessel (XV) Excalibur can be fully controlled remotely, and from the other side of the planet. Australian operators successfully operated an unmanned submarine while it was underwater in British territorial waters.

These tests took place in July as part of the large-scale Talisman Sabre 2025 exercises. Specifically, this stage was called the "Maritime Big Play" and became part of the broader AUKUS program, namely its Pillar II direction, which focuses on the development and joint use of advanced defense technologies between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States.

This level of remote control is a serious step forward. It opens up opportunities for the use of autonomous underwater vehicles in complex and potentially dangerous missions without risk to the crew. Now the car can be where it needs to be, and it can be commanded safely, from anywhere in the world.

The "Needle Fish" in the Persian Gulf: Kuwait receives advanced unmanned patrol boats

Needlefish

The American company Ocean Infinity, known for its underwater research, decided to expand its horizons and created a high-speed unmanned patrol vessel called Needlefish. This is not just a boat, but a real technical masterpiece for marine surveillance. The vessel is 14 meters long, 6 meters wide, and it is equipped with two jet engines, which allows it to reach speeds of more than 40 knots (over 70 km/h), and some sources indicate even more than 40 miles per hour. This speed is achieved thanks to the catamaran's unique "cutting waves" design.

Needlefish is designed specifically for Kuwait's difficult conditions and is capable of patrolling vast territories — up to 11,000 km2. It is equipped with a complex of advanced surveillance sensors, including cameras, radars and RF sensors, which allows monitoring both above and below water, transmitting data in real time to command centers. The boat is controlled remotely.

A key feature is its integration into the advanced SRT C5iSR marine surveillance system from SRT Marine Systems. This integrated system, controlled by artificial intelligence, creates a national surveillance network for Kuwait. The first two drones have already been handed over to the Kuwait Coast Guard, and one of them recently demonstrated its capabilities during exercises for senior officials.

It is important to note that in the current configuration, Needlefish has no weapons and is intended exclusively for reconnaissance, surveillance, mapping and geodetic work. Meanwhile, in March 2025, the Pentagon unveiled its prototype of the USX-1 Defiant unmanned surface vessel, a much larger 54—meter (180 ft), 240-ton ship designed for fully autonomous long-duration missions.

DARPA unveils giant unmanned vessel USX-1 Defiant to Revolutionize Marine Surveillance

USX-1 Defiant

DARPA has announced the development of the colossal 580,000-pound unmanned surface vessel USX-1 Defiant, which promises to fundamentally change the approach to global naval surveillance and intelligence. This innovative spy ship is preparing for large-scale tests that will demonstrate its autonomous capabilities and potential for long-term missions.

The USX-1 Defiant is an unmanned surface vessel (USV) capable of operating without the constant presence of a crew, which significantly expands the possibilities of conducting reconnaissance and surveillance on the high seas. Its huge size and advanced technology ensure high stability in difficult marine conditions, as well as the ability to equip modern sensor and communication systems.

The DARPA project aims to create a platform capable of continuous monitoring and data collection in strategically important regions, which will improve the efficiency of naval operations and strengthen control over maritime communications. The USX-1 Defiant can become a key element of future naval strategies, providing an advantage in information and intelligence warfare.

Metal Shark unveils HSMUSV at Sea-Air-Space 2025

 The American shipbuilding company Metal Shark presented Unveil its newest unmanned surface vessel, HSMUSV, at the Sea-Air-Space 2025 exhibition, which took place from April 7-9 in National Harbor, Maryland. 

Powered by the proven Relentless class platform, this 21-foot surface drone represents another step in the development of autonomous marine capabilities by offering a modular, cost-effective, and rapidly deployable solution.

Designed to meet the growing needs of the U.S. Navy and allied forces, the HSMUSV was presented in a context marked by the rise of asymmetric maritime threats and the pursuit of technological superiority in surface warfare and maritime intelligence operations.

HSMUSV